What a huge loss!!! Donna, you were such an intregal part of the Hillcrest Gang and what a joy it was to have you and Frank as neighbors. It was such a fun group back then having birthday parties, last minute talks on the driveway and watching the neighborhood be a close knit group. Thank you for the memories, Donna, and thank you for keeping in touch for all these years! Hugs to all of the Rajkowski gang!!!!
Donna Rajkowski
April 29, 1923 – August 18, 2024
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 23, 2024, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Sartell for Donna Rajkowski, age 101, of St. Cloud. Donna passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 18, 2024, at St. Benedict’s Senior Community in St. Cloud. Reverend Timothy Baltes will officiate. Burial will take place in the parish cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday and after 10:00 a.m. on Friday all at the Gathering Space at St. Francis Xavier Church in Sartell. Parish prayers will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday at the Gathering Space.
Donna was born on April 29, 1923, in LaMoure North Dakota to Eugene and Margaret (Carey) Coyne the youngest of their four daughters. After graduating from LaMoure High School she attended the College of St. Benedict graduating in 1946. She married Frank Rajkowski JR on June 24, 1946, in LaMoure. They later made their home in St. Cloud and Sartell where they raised their nine children.
She was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend to many. As stay at home mom, she still managed to provide many hours of volunteer work at her church and her children’s schools. She served on the Cathedral school board and was an oblate with the Sisters of St. Benedict.
She is survived by her children, Ellen Rajkowski of Sartell, Frank (Marilyn) Rajkowski of Sartell, Mark (Jeannie) Rajkowski of Concord CA, Mary (Bob) Kiefer of St. Cloud, Kathy (John) Kampa of St. Cloud, Paul (Tina) Rajkowski of St. Cloud, Susan Haskell of Ainsworth NE, Michael (Patrice) Rajkowski of Plymouth, Daughter-in-law, Jodee Rajkowski of Golden Valley, 22 grandchild and 33 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters, her husband Frank, son John, son-in-law Dave Haskell and granddaughter-in-law Kelly Kiefer.
The family would like to thank the staff at Chateau Waters, Ecumen/St. Benedict Center and Moment’s Hospice for their care of our mother.
In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to the College of St. Benedict/St.John’s University.
Guestbook
To the Rajkowski Family from the Kunesh family, our heartfelt condolences. Rest in peace, Mrs. Rajkowski.
Ellen and family, while it saddens me to learn of the passing of “Mrs. R,” I can’t help but smile when I think her! Donna Rajkowski was a true renaissance woman; beautiful, smart, energetic, kind, loving, generous, and free-spirited. She was a woman of deep faith who also possessed a wicked sense of humor! I remember those visits to the Rajkowski homestead many years ago, when Ellen would invite a bunch of her “Bennie” sisters over for an afternoon of fun and great food! I remember how welcomed I always felt in your mom’s presence. How lucky we have been to have this fabulous woman in our lives! And while her days may be through, her spirit lives on in our hearts and memories. May she rest in peace, and may her memory bring comfort to all who love her. The world is, indeed, a better place because of Donna Rajkowski. She had a great run at a life well lived!
I remember Donna from my many annual trips to Little Rock Lake on the 4th of July for the family reunions. They were a highlight of my youth. She was always a gracious host. She had the ability to make everyone, regardless of age, feel welcome and valued. She will be greatly missed.
You passed to quickly but I am glad that we had you for as long as we did. I hope you have found peace and no more pain. I know that I will be seeing you again. Until then, .ay the road rise up to meet you and the wind be always at your back.
Services
Schedule Details
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 23, 2024, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Sartell for Donna Rajkowski, age 101, of St. Cloud. Reverend Timothy Baltes will officiate. Burial will take place in the parish cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday and after 10:00 a.m. on Friday all at the Gathering Space at St. Francis Xavier Church in Sartell. Parish prayers will be held at 6:30 a.m. on Thursday at the Gathering Space.